If you were an Executive on another team and the Rockets were calling you up and pitching their players for one of your stars how would you respond with reasons to pass. Here's one hypothetical, you're Brad Stevens (Celtics) and the Rockets call offering you Amen Thompson for Jaylen Brown, what holes would you poke in that player to pass on the offer? This is really just an exercise for some here at Clutchfans to really see our players as they really are vs with fan boy glasses. Try and look at them from the point of being on the receiving end of the deal.
Rockets wouldn't trade Amen for Jaylen Brown. I could guarantee that. based in reality or not, the Rockets view Amen as THE GUY.
The Celtics are in win now. Jaylen Brown will likely only be traded for a player of Giannis' caliber or in a deal where its for more multiple contracts like Zion + Trey Murphy. Amen would not make the Celtics better right now. But honestly, I think the Celtics would trade Jaylen Brown for Amen Thompson and salary. Amen is incredibly valued in the league, we all know his faults. Amen is probably a top 15 asset in the league right now. The Rockets have done a miserable job maximizing their talent and Amen still shines. Teams would think they could fix the shot and the handle with better development. Even without those things becoming elite, Amen is still an All NBA Caliber player within 3 years as the game slows down for him. If Wemby misses too many games, Amen should be able to win a DPOY if his offensive load lightens from this past season. Amen is due a near max next year but it's likely going to be around 35 - 40 Million a year. Jaylen Brown has numbers that reach $64 million. It is very hard to build with this broken CBA. Rookie scale maxes are still bargain contracts at this juncture.
"He's a nice complementary piece... but he doesnt rate the likes of Jaylen Brown. C'mon Raffi, they're nowhere near the same level... I mean, the guy cant shoot. He's a good defense guy, but c'mon, I'm gonna shuffle my whole offensive scheme to try to make him fit? He'd be a good guy to have coming off the bench for me as a change of pace, but I doubt I'd even start him. Now if u wanted to combo him w Sengun... maybe I could re-route one or both them for some pieces I could actually use..."
I see what you're saying. He's got the ability and drive to be at the top of the game but even in your opinion, he's not providing more to the Celtics than Jaylen Brown at this moment. You think they think he would in say, 2 years?
I think most successful franchises would look at Amen and think they could put him in a position to be All NBA in the first year in their system. Amen was thrown to the wolves last year with Fred's injury and mostly made the best of it. Udoka did not do a ton to make the game easier for anyone last season. One of the strangest offenses I can ever remember. It was basically based on missing shots and getting offensive rebounds. That's kind of a problem for a guy who thrives in space and the fast break. It was so heavily reliant on Steven Adams' production and then Steven went away. A lot of KD point guard sets when he had no ability to break a double any more. I could see a scenario where Amen is averaging 22/6/8 next season as the Rockets add Fred, get Reed more accumulated, and hopefully add a few more shooters to the rotation.
